East Herts District Plan supports Green Belt release for 10,000 homes at the Gilston Area
Quod provides strategic planning advice, as well as socio-economic, environmental and affordable housing support to Places for People in respect of land north of Harlow, known as Gilston Park Estate. The c.1,000 hectare site is located within the Green Belt and is promoted for a new community of 8,500 homes across 6 individual villages with associated supporting infrastructure. Gilston Park Estate represents six of the seven villages that are proposed as part of the wider Gilston Area, totalling 10,000 homes.
Quod has advised Places for People in their promotion of the site through the East Herts District Plan for the release of the land from the Green Belt and the allocation of the site for residential led development. Quod advised on the preparation of the necessary evidence to support the Local Plan process, including evidence on scheme deliverability.
In late 2017 Philip Murphy of Quod was instructed by Places for People to act as the expert planning witness at the Local Plan Examination covering all technical planning matters associated with the development including overall deliverability.
The Inspector’s Report was published in mid 2018 and fully endorsed the release of the site from the Green Belt and the site allocation. The Inspector’s Report acknowledged the “significant technical evidence” that had been prepared to demonstrate that the site would assist in meeting housing need in East Herts, whilst also importantly contributing towards the regeneration of Harlow.
The Plan was adopted by East Herts in October 2018 and Quod is instructed to prepare the submission of an outline planning application for the site. For further information please contact Philip Murphy.
